2018 NFL Combine
It’s almost time for the 2018 NFL Combine – a magical place where draft prospects can display their athletic talents.
Let’s talk about who the Bengals should look at. Starting with the much needed Offensive Tackle position…
OT – Connor Williams
Profile: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/connor-williams?id=2560017
People are making Williams way more controversial then he needs to be. People think he should be moved to guard (guard’s have to be strong/powerful), which is Williams’ worst trait. I had an amazing opportunity to talk to an NFL scout about Williams. He said:
“I don’t understand why people don’t like Williams. He is the best pass blocker I’ve ever scouted. To be guard you have be strong and powerful. Those are areas he struggles in. Wouldn’t make sense for him to be a guard. With his footwork, athletic ability, and passing technique, he belongs at left tackle.”
See! This NFL Scout also compared him to Joe Thomas. In his latest mock, he had us taking him. (He’s not a Bengals scout, so don’t assume anything.)
The only legit red flag you could find on him was his sprained knee ligaments and a torn meniscus he suffered against USC. I’m not concerned though – because on his first snap back from injury, he did this:
That’s right, his very first snap back. He played great that game and against Texas Tech. (Then skipped the Bowl Game.)
It’s also important to note he did not have surgery. His recovery time was much quicker then expected. Injuries like the one William suffered are always a red flag, but it doesn’t seem to be bothering him.
Yes, I’ve seen the article about him being overrated. Every scout has different opinions. If you look hard enough; you can find every first round prospect labeled as “overrated” by a scout.
OT – Mike McGlinchey
Profile: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/mike-mcglinchey?id=2559891
Mike McGlinchey would have been the best OT in last year’s draft class – but he decided to stay for his senior year and improve. It’s good he did, as he had much to improve on. And improve, he did. But he’s nowhere near perfect. Inconsistent against speed rushers. On certain plays he looks like Ogbuehi, and on others he looks like Joe Thomas. It’s that consistency issue that’s holding him from being the number one ranked LT.
The nice thing about McGlincheys struggles is.. it’s very coachable. He gets beat by speed rushers because of bad footwork and his hips not aligned properly (hips don’t lie). His aggressiveness is also inconsistent. After watching film – if you told me McGlinchey was one of the strongest offensive lineman in the draft.. I would have laughed in your face. One play he’ll completely destroy a defensive lineman or linebacker, and the next play he gets shoved back. Should not happen, with how strong he is. It’s about having the right mindset. Maybe a year in the NFL and improving his confidence will help.
McGlinchey is a bit of a project. Unless he falls, he will most likely be starting for the team he is drafted. It could take him anywhere from 8 games to a full year to fix these issues. But he’d still be much better than Ogbuehi for the Bengals. He will struggle, but that’s the case for most rookies.
OT – Orlando Brown
Profile: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/orlando-brown?id=2559896
OB could be an option for the Bengals at #12. He’s a BIG dude. 6’8. Weighing in at 345. Even though he played LT at Oklahoma, he’s more suited to be a right tackle in the NFL. RT’s are typically bigger/better run blockers and Orlando Brown is tremendously strong. He will run over a lineman without trying – he’s aggressive, competitive, not afraid to stick up for teammates, etc. Overall he has an attitude the Bengals desperately NEED.
However, his pass blocking will need work. Like McGlinchey, it’s mostly technique issues. But for Brown, he has a lot more pass blocking flaws then McGlinchey. His hips and feet work are both very poor. Hand placement wasn’t great either. He got away with using his strength with bad technique in college; something he likely won’t get away with in the NFL.
But again, all of this is coachable. With his size and coach ability, he will make a great RT. Or if he can improve against speed rushers, he can play left tackle as well.
Who do you want the Bengals to draft between these offensive lineman? (But when do the Bengals take what you think they’re gonna take anyways..)
Here are some other prospects the Bengals should consider taking, outside of the OT slot:
OG – Quentin Nelson
Profile: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/quenton-nelson?id=2559948
Let’s stay in the Offensive Line for just another minute.. Lord knows we could spend the entire draft there.
Nelson is one of the safest players to draft at #12. Elite pass blocking for a guard, but also has the run blocking skills you want in a First Rounder. Dude is very powerful.
But I’ll keep this short.. because the odds of him falling to #12 are very slim. Rarely do you see a guard go in the Top 15 (let alone Top 10). So this shows you how good Nelson really is.
If he does fall, Nelson fits a team need. But again, don’t expect him to be there.
LB – Roquan Smith
Profile: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/roquan-smith?id=2559899
If the Bengals don’t go Offensive Line, Smith is the way to go.
Linebacker is the 2nd biggest Draft Need for the Bengals. Smith plays with a lot of passion and heart, very athletic, and solid in coverage. Bengals have been lacking a player who can cover the tight end and Smith can do just that. Great against the run, great tackler, and he knows how to read the offense and get into the correct spot.
Maybe a bit undersized for a 4-3 MLB, but he makes up for it with his athletic ability. Like Nelson, Smith will likely be gone at 12.
The 49ers, Raiders, and Dolphins all draft right before the Bengals, and they all need a linebacker. I don’t expect him to fall to us.
LB – Tremaine Edmunds
Profile: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/tremaine-edmunds?id=2560062
Edmunds is also a likely candidate. The kid is only 19, but that doesn’t show on tape.
He’s extremely athletic, isn’t afraid to hit, and is really good in pass coverage. Passionate player. Edmunds played a lot of SAM – which Vigil wasn’t great there. Even with Virgil still developing, I highly doubt the Bengals would give up on a player who showed promise.
If the Bengals did draft him: they’d either move Burfict to the middle (Burfict played in the middle last year, but he struggled), Vigil to the middle, or put Edmunds there.
Edmunds just isn’t ready or fit to play in the middle. He will likely be gone before the Bengals are up to pick – if not, Bengals will likely pass on him. An outside linebacker really isn’t top priority in the Bengals Draft Needs.
S – Derwin James
Profile: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/derwin-james?id=2560066
James played Strong Safety in a Florida States defense. Definitely known as a hard hitting guy.
His pass coverage isn’t great, he’s pretty bad at reading quarterbacks eyes.. but he isn’t afraid to pop someone.
Unfortunately he suffered a terrible injury and it seems to be affecting him mentally. This can be concerning, but he is pushing through it every game and trying to get past it. I don’t see the Bengals drafting him because Williams is a good run stopping safety, he struggles in oasis coverage. James will fix that over time, but the Bengals need someone who can impact right off the bat.
If the Bengals did draft James, he’d likely be on the bench year 1. Side Note: Marvin has never drafted a Safety in the First Round.
Which prospect do you want for the Bengals in the 1st? Tweet at @CincyProblems or join the conversation with me (@Bengals_NFL) on Instagram.
